Though the series isn’t discussed too often, vertically-scrolling shmups owe a lot to Capcom’s 194X games. Arcade-goers were treated to an addictive and fun experience, flying their P-38 Lightning fighter planes over the Pacific Ocean towards Japan. On today’s show, Ed takes a look at a fantastic example of the evolution of game music, starting with the scratchy beeps of the original title and culminating in a fully orchestrated soundtrack from renowned composer Norihiko Hibino. Strap into your cockpit and lift off for this unique collection of VGM!
A huge thank you to Indira J (The Misadventures of Buddy and Friend, Sacrimony) for the amazing VGMbassy artwork and design, and to Trevin Hughes (aka chiptune composer Jredd) for the podcast theme song!
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The Tracklist:
1 – “Main BGM” from 1942 (Arcade, 1984) Composed by Ayako Mori
2 – “Ayako BGM” from 1942 (Arcade, 1984) Composed by Ayako Mori
3 – “Ayako Destruction” from 1942 (Arcade, 1984) Composed by Ayako Mori
4 – “Main BGM” from 1942 (NES, 1985) Composed by Ayako Mori
5 – “Stage Clear” from 1942 (NES, 1985) Composed by Ayako Mori
6 – “Title and Gameplay Theme” from 1942 (C64, 1987) Composed by Mark Cooksey
7 – “Game Over” from 1942 (C64, 1987) Composed by Mark Cooksey
8 – “BGM” from 1942: First Strike (Java Mobile, 2009) by an Unknown Composer
9 – “Air Battle Theme A” from 1943: The Battle of Midway (Arcade, 1987) Composed by Kumi Yamaga
10 – “Anti-Ship Battle A” from 1943: The Battle of Midway (NES, 1988) Composed by Kumi Yamaga, arranged by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi
11 – “Air Battle C” from 1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen (Arcade, 1987) Composed by Harumi Fujita, Hiroshige Tonomura, Junko Tamiya, Kumi Yamaga, Manami Matsumae, Takashi Tateishi, Tamayo Kawamoto, and John Philip Sousa
12 – “Air Battle B” from 1943 Kai (PCE, 1991) Composed by Daisuke Morishima, Harumi Fujita, Hiroshige Tonomura, Hisashi Matsushita, Junko Tamiya, Kumi Yamaga, Manami Matsumae, Takashi Tateishi, Tamayo Kawamoto, and John Philip Sousa
13 – “Boss 6-A” from 1941: Counter Attack (Arcade, 1990) Composed by Hiromitsu Takaoka
14 – “Stage 6B” from 1941: Counter Attack (SuperGrafx, 1991) Composed by Funny Narinari, Happy, and Hiromitsu Takaoka
15 – “Dance of Green Gnome 1” from 19XX: The War Against Destiny (Arcade, 1996) Composed by Syun Nishigaki
16 – “Outer Limits (Target 6)” from 19XX: The War Against Destiny (Arcade, 1996) Composed by Tatsuro Suzuki
17 – “Deep Blue (Stage 1)” from 1944: The Loop Master (Arcade, 2000) by Yasushi Kamanishi
18 – “Battle of Green Field (Stage 13)” from 1944: The Loop Master (Arcade, 2000) by Yasushi Kamanishi
19 – “Shinden Striker” from 1942: Joint Strike (PS3, Xbox360, 2010) Composed by Norihiko Hibino
20 – “Retro Blitz” from 1942: Joint Strike (PS3, Xbox360, 2010) Composed by Norihiko Hibino
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